The following events take place between November 11th, 2009 (when Mello blows himself up) and January 26th, 2010 (when it all goes to hell).
1.
Picking leather out of half-scarred burns is a thankless task, but Matt would rather have a melted Mello than no Mello at all. What with the cursing and throwing things, the cats are not so sure.
2.
Mello doesn't understand why Matt talks to his cats. This is because Mello hasn't spent the last four years waiting for someone who never came.
3.
The only thing Mello cares about is being the best, and that means becoming L, and that means catching Kira before Near can. Kira.
4.
The orders are to go and watch Misa Amane. So he does. Matt only enjoys it because from certain angles, the blonde reminds him of someone.
5.
Chocolate, cigarettes, and the occasional bottle of vodka. Everyone has their addictions.
6.
Matt would never have kissed Mello if he hadn't been drunk. And if he hadn't been drunk, Mello would never have kissed back.
7.
It didn't mean anything. It doesn't mean anything. And when Mello gives up and pins Matt to the wall four days later, it still won't mean anything. Or at least that's what he tells himself.
8.
What do you do when your best friend– your only friend– starts kissing you like you're air and he's drowning? What do you do when you realize you were drowning, too?
Answer: Smoke a goddamn cigarette.
9.
Matt is getting quite good at unlacing those ridiculously tight leather pants. Practice makes perfect.
10.
There is a subtle difference between Mello planning and Mello Planning, and this time Mello is Planning. And Matt knows he'll go along with it, however stupid, because what is life but a series of Mello's plans?
11.
Mello sees it happen and he can feel his heart give up even before the fatal shock and then Mello dies, too. Three meaningless words go through his head and he thinks maybe being the best wasn't that important after all. Matt.